The safe house was a nondescript building on the outskirts of the city, its weathered brick facade and boarded-up windows giving it an air of abandonment. But Evelyn knew better. The faint glow of light through the cracks in the boards and the shadowy figures moving inside told her this place was anything but empty.
She crouched behind a rusted chain-link fence, her heart pounding as she studied the building. The rain had finally stopped, but the air was still thick with moisture, the ground slick beneath her boots. Lucas knelt beside her, his sharp green eyes scanning the area with the precision of a seasoned detective.
"There are two guards at the front entrance," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "And at least three more patrolling the perimeter. We'll need to find another way in."
Evelyn nodded, her mind racing. She had spent the last few hours memorizing the layout of the building based on the intel Lucas had provided. There was a side door near the back, but it was likely guarded as well. Still, it was their best shot.
"What's the plan?" she asked, her voice low.
Lucas hesitated, his jaw tightening. "We go in quiet. Take out the guards, find Victor, and get out. No heroics, Evelyn. If things go south, we run. Understand?"
Evelyn met his gaze, her eyes filled with determination. "I'm not leaving without him."
Lucas studied her for a long moment, then nodded. "Then let's make sure it doesn't come to that."
They moved quickly and quietly, sticking to the shadows as they made their way around the building. The side door was just as Evelyn had expected—guarded by a single man, his back to them as he smoked a cigarette. Lucas signaled for her to stay back, then crept forward, his movements silent and deliberate.
Evelyn held her breath as Lucas approached the guard, her heart pounding in her chest. In one swift motion, he grabbed the man from behind, clamping a hand over his mouth and pressing something to his neck. The guard went limp, and Lucas lowered him to the ground, his expression grim.
"Let's go," he whispered, motioning for Evelyn to follow.
They slipped inside, the dimly lit hallway stretching out before them. The air was thick with the smell of mildew and something metallic, and Evelyn's stomach churned as they moved deeper into the building. The sound of voices echoed from somewhere ahead, and she froze, her heart skipping a beat.
Lucas held up a hand, signaling for her to wait. He peered around the corner, then gestured for her to follow. They moved cautiously, their footsteps silent on the concrete floor. The voices grew louder, and Evelyn's chest tightened as she recognized one of them.
Isabella Kane.
She was standing in a doorway, her sleek black hair and sharp features unmistakable even in the dim light. She was speaking to someone, her tone cold and commanding. Evelyn couldn't make out the words, but the tension in the air was palpable.
Lucas motioned for Evelyn to stay back, then crept closer, his hand resting on the gun at his side. Evelyn's heart pounded as she watched him, her mind racing. If Isabella was here, that meant the Kanes were onto them. They were walking into a trap.
But before she could warn Lucas, the sound of footsteps echoed behind them. Evelyn turned, her breath catching in her throat as two guards rounded the corner, their eyes widening in surprise.
"Hey!" one of them shouted, reaching for his weapon.
Lucas reacted instantly, firing two silenced shots that dropped the guards before they could raise their guns. But the damage was done. The sound of shouting filled the hallway, and Evelyn's chest tightened as she realized they were out of time.
"Go!" Lucas hissed, pushing her toward a nearby door. "Find Victor! I'll hold them off!"
Evelyn hesitated, her heart pounding. "Lucas—"
"Go!" he repeated, his voice sharp. "Now!"
She turned and ran, her footsteps echoing in the narrow hallway. The door at the end was locked, but she kicked it open, her heart racing as she stepped inside. The room was dark, the only light coming from a single bulb hanging from the ceiling. And there, in the corner, was Victor.
He was slumped against the wall, his face pale and bruised, his hands bound in front of him. His eyes widened as he saw her, and he struggled to sit up.
"Evie?" he croaked, his voice hoarse.
Evelyn's chest tightened, and she rushed to his side, dropping to her knees beside him. "Victor," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I'm here. I'm getting you out."
She fumbled with the ropes binding his hands, her fingers trembling as she worked to untie them. Victor winced as the ropes fell away, his wrists raw and bleeding.
"You shouldn't have come," he said, his voice weak. "It's too dangerous."
Evelyn shook her head, her eyes filling with tears. "I wasn't going to leave you."
The sound of gunfire echoed from the hallway, and Evelyn's heart skipped a beat. She helped Victor to his feet, his weight leaning heavily on her as they moved toward the door. But before they could reach it, the door burst open, and Isabella Kane stepped inside, a gun in her hand.
"Well, well," she said, her voice dripping with disdain. "Look what the cat dragged in."
Evelyn's chest tightened, and she stepped in front of Victor, shielding him with her body. "Let him go," she said, her voice steady despite the fear coursing through her.
Isabella smirked, her cold eyes narrowing. "You're in no position to make demands, Evelyn. But don't worry. You'll both be joining Damian soon enough."
Evelyn's heart pounded as Isabella raised the gun, her finger tightening on the trigger. But before she could fire, a shot rang out, and Isabella stumbled back, her eyes wide with shock.
Lucas stood in the doorway, his gun smoking as he stepped inside. "Let's go!" he shouted, his voice urgent.
Evelyn didn't hesitate. She grabbed Victor's arm and pulled him toward the door, her heart racing as they ran down the hallway. The sound of shouting and gunfire echoed behind them, but she didn't look back. She couldn't.
They burst out into the night, the cool air hitting them like a slap. Lucas was right behind them, his expression grim as he motioned for them to keep moving. They ran through the rain-soaked streets, their footsteps pounding against the pavement.
But as they turned a corner, Evelyn's heart stopped. Damian Kane stood in the middle of the street, his piercing blue eyes locked onto hers. His expression was unreadable, but the tension in the air was palpable.
"Evelyn," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "You've made a mistake."
Evelyn's chest tightened, and she stepped in front of Victor, shielding him with her body. "I'm not letting you hurt him," she said, her voice steady despite the fear coursing through her.
Damian's gaze flicked to Victor, then back to her. For a moment, no one moved, the silence between them heavy with unspoken words. Then, finally, Damian stepped aside, his expression unreadable.
"Go," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "But this isn't over."
Evelyn hesitated, her heart pounding. She wanted to say something, to ask him why he was letting them go. But there was no time. Lucas grabbed her arm, pulling her toward the car parked nearby.
As they drove away, Evelyn glanced out the window, her eyes locking onto Damian's. He stood in the middle of the street, his figure growing smaller as they disappeared into the night.
The game had changed, and the stakes were higher than ever.